Comparison of Flow Meters

A comparison table of commonly used flow meters based on the viscosity of fluids that they can handle and for which type of fluid they are suitable, working conditions, accuracy, range are given below

Sr no	Type	Viscous liquid	Slurry	Gas	Output	Pressure loss	Accuracy% full-scale	Full range
1	Orifice	Limited	Poor	Good	Square root characteristic	High	±0.5to ±2%	10-3to 5.5×103 m3/hr
2	Venturi	Limited	Limited	Good	--do--	Minimal	±0.5to ±3%	1to 5.5×103 m3/hr
3	Flow nozzle	Limited	Limited	Good	--do--	Minimal	±0.5to ±3%	1to 5.5×103 m3/hr
4	Pitot tube	Poor	Poor	Good	--do--	Poor	±5to ±10%	10 to 104 m3/hr
5	Electromagnetic	Good	Good	Good	Linear	Minimal	±2to ±5%	5.5×104 to 4.95×103 m3/hr
6	Variable area meter	Limited	Limited	Good	Linear	Average	±0.5%	10-7to 5.5×103 m3/hr
7	Positive displacement	Good	Good	Good	Linear	Minimal	±0.5to ±1%	10-5to 5×102 m3/hr
8	Turbine	Limited	poor	Poor	Linear	Minimal	±2to ±5%	05 to 4.95×102 m3/hr